Thursday, July 19, 2012

Christmas Tree Skirt In July

It was 102 degrees yesterday, the air conditioning was cranked, and I got too much sun at the pool. Christmas is pretty much the last thing that should be on my mind, right? Except that somehow, December 25 always manages to sneak up on me. And with the inevitable gift buying/making rush, Christmas decor projects tend to take a back seat. So really, why not make a Christmas tree skirt on a 102-degree day in July?

With that in mind, welcome to my stop on the Christmas in July Blog Hop, hosted by Elizabeth of Don't Call Me Betsy! Every year since I started sewing, I've been saying I would make a Christmas tree skirt for my family, and this year, we will finally have one. A few months ago, I pinned this half-square-rectangle tutorial from the Modern Quilt Guild's "100 Days of Modern Quilting" series. When I went to design this tree skirt, it called out to me. Here's how to make the tree skirt, using the MQG's tutorial.

You will need:
- 1.5 yards solid white (or other background fabric)
- 3/4 yard of red prints or scraps
- 3/4 yard green prints or scraps
- about two yards of fabric for the back
- 3/4 yard of solid red for binding

1. Start by going to The Modern Quilt Guild's blog for their tutorial on making half-square rectangles. For this tree skirt, you'll want 24 red half-square rectangles going in one direction, and 12 red half-square rectangles going in the opposite direction. For green, you'll want to swap that—so you need 24 green half-square rectangles going in the opposite direction of the 24 reds, and 12 greens going in the opposite direction of the 12 reds. Clear as mud? Great. Moving on. : )

2. So you should now have a total of 72 finished half-square rectangles. Again, following the instructions from the MQG's tutorial, make those 72 units into 18 diamond blocks.

3. Lay out your completed diamond blocks as shown above. The first three rows are staggered, followed by a row that isn't staggered, followed by two more staggered rows. The 8.5" x 12.5" white pieces go in each corner, and the 8.5" x 6.5" pieces are in the second row in from each side, at the top and bottom.

4. Once I completed the top, I decided to baste the skirt before trimming it into an octagon shape. (I figured it would be easier to baste while the skirt was still square, but I didn't want to spend time quilting areas that would eventually be trimmed off. So trimming after basting but before quilting was my solution—but you could really trim at any point in the process.) To create the octagon, measure along the edges of the basted skirt, 16.25" from each corner, and make a mark.

5. Then lay your ruler diagonally across the corner, from mark to mark, and trim. Voila, it's an octagon! Oh, and save the corner pieces that you cut off—they're great for practicing your FMQ!

6. Now you're ready to quilt. Since this was the first project I quilted on my new Horizon, I wanted to try a free-motion design that I'd never done before—and since I've never done anything but stippling, I had lots of options. : ) I went with loopy squiggles.

7. Now comes the scary part: Cutting into an almost-completed quilt to make space for the tree trunk! I used a cereal bowl to trace a circle in the dead-center of my skirt (dead center is easy to find thanks to the block seams).

8. Once the circle was traced, I used a ruler and my rotary cutter to cut right down the center seam of the quilt, starting at the top edge and stopping once you've cut into the traced circle.

9. Then I used my scissors to cut out the center hole.

Looks more like a tree skirt now, right?

10. That just leaves binding. With the octagon's odd angles and the circular hole in the center, bias binding is a must here. I always make continuous binding when I use bias—click here for a great tutorial on how to do this from Julie of Jaybird Quilts (scroll down to Method #2). It's a convenient way to make bias binding, and results in less waste. I made my binding from a 27" square and had plenty left over.

11. To bind around the odd angles of the octagon, I used this tutorial by Heather Mulder Peterson of Anka's Treasures. It's more or less the same concept as binding 90-degree corners. Once you've gone around the octagon, keep going down one of the long cut edges, around the inner circle and back up the other cut edge, right back to where you started, like a normal square quilt.

And there you have it! One bright, modern Christmas tree skirt, and I already have one less thing on my holiday to-do list! Woo hoo!

But wait, here's the best part: Now I get to give away a big ol' bundle of fabric to one of you, to get a head start on your own Christmas projects! The Intrepid Thread is sending one lucky winner an FQ bundle of the entire "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" line by Creative Thursday. How adorable are those little cardinals?? Just leave a comment on this post telling me how you would celebrate Christmas ... in July. Margaritas? Trip to the beach? Lying in the hammock all day? : ) (THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.)

Oh, and just in case you don't win that lovely bundle, Manda of Manda Made Quilts is hosting a Christmas in July Charm Swap and needs about 15 more swappers. Sounds like a good way to get a variety of holiday prints—all the details are here.

How wonderful! Christmas in July would be spent on the beach on the snow white sands, building a Sandman! I am hoping Christmas this year will be spent half way across the country in a new house because we hopefully get to move before then. I am hoping I can look out my window on Christmas morning and have it be snowing too.

I would go spend those quilt shop gift cards that I am hoping to get for Christmas. I will be asking for a couple hundred dollars to my local shop so I will just go spend it now. Shopping for fabric is never wrong in my opinion. I love this bundle. I might just have to buy it if I don't win. The tree skirt is lovely.

Beautiful tree skirt. I need to make a new one for our home to go with my new tree my awesome husband surprised me with two years ago now. I'm still using the one I made years ago and it's too 'cutesy' for me now plus it really does not go with my tree at all. My biggest fear is to make such a pretty tree skirt and then have to make that first cut in it to open up the circle. I might need a few margaritas to settle my nerves before making that cut. LOL

Hmmmmmm how would I celebrate Christmas in July? I think I'd make some snowballs to have an indoor snowball fight with my Grandkids that are old enough. One of the machine embroidery digitizers I know created an In the Hoop project to make Snowballs with adorable little faces on them to have snowball fights inside for kids. Once I tired them out with the snowball fight, Grandma would have to have something to drink so yea, margaritas would be perfect.

Love your tree skirt! As for Christmas in July? My family actually celebrates it! It is way to difficult to get my mom's dad's side together throughout the year, let alone during Christmas, so we switched it to Christmas in July! Families take turns hosting, but it is usually at one of the cabins at "the lake!" Over the years it has grown to include any baby and bridal showers needed for that year :) It is a great way to see our very extended family once a year!!

arggh! you cut the quilt after it was quilted..... I never thought about it but that's CLEVER and then it's already sturdy to do it- note to self I HAVE to make my own tree skirt for Christmas soon! It was in the 90s yesterday here.... the last few years- not this year, my old church had a christmas in july craft show that I was part of, with christmas music and everything.... it was so much fun, you totally get in the spirit, then packed up our stuff at the end of the day and go outside in 90 degrees again....

What a fantastic clear tutorial!! A tree skirt is definitely on my christmas to do list, and this makes it look very achievable!! Christmas in July would be a very waterlogged affair here in the UK at the moment, so I'd be dodging the showers for a BBQ!

Christmas in July at my house...would still entail a lot of baking (cookies & pies), but with the AC cranked up. And I'd probably talk the husband into grilling Christmas dinner. My usual decorations would come out (I've lived in fairly warm climates for a few years), but I'd probably use the quilts & afghans for picnic blankets.

Wow, I love that tree skirt and I've been looking for one to make for our tree! Thanks for the tutorial and the chance to win! I'd invite the family over for a Christmas themed bbq and instead of mint hot chocolate we could have mint mojitos! :)

Christmas for me is all about family - so my Christmas in July would include a week relaxing in a lake house with our siblings, spouses, and all the nieces and nephews. Plus Gramie to help with all the kiddos! In reality I'm hoping THIS Christmas in July includes me snuggling with a my new baby - any day. (And time to sew during maternity leave! Which includes Christmas stockings so this giveaway is perfect!)

Love your tree skirt, I am wanting to make one also. We live in north central Idaho and for a Christmas in July it would be our family getting together with our rafts and floating down the Clearwater River. It is a beautiful river and the weather is hot and the water is warm. We have a wonderful day splashing and laughing.

What a stylin' tree skirt! Thanks for the tute. Christmas is far from my mind (July's my birthday month, so that's the celebration that's top of mind at the moment). However, I have been known to embroider Christmas gifts on our summer beach holiday. I think my fav summer Christmas celebration was when I was a kid and we always did secret Santa at girl guide camp. We had to leave a gift on our partner's pillow every night and these were mostly sweet things we found in nature, like pinecones, a smooth rock or acorns.

How I am actually looking forward to Christmas and winter already! I hate to say it but the heat has done me in as well as the dryness of it all. Anyways, I would celebrate Christmas in July with some grilled chicken and veggies fresh from our garden with smores on the fire for desert! My kids love them.

I was already excited to see your awesome tree skirt, and then I read about your giveaway - bonus woohooo!! I would love to celebrate Christmas in July by stocking up my stash with awesome Christmas fabrics - especially flannels!!

Oh my goodness I love your tree skirt!! And I love those fabrics! Fingers crossed as I have 1001 ideas for more Christmas projects to make for this year!!! I'd like a festive wall hanging and a pillow for the couch. Thanks for the chance!

The best way I know to celebrate Christmas in July is by quilting projects with Christmas fabric. It is all so beautiful. I love, love, love! the "Santa Claus is coming to Town" line in aqua. I just painted my bedroom that color and would so enjoy a Christmas quilt for it!

I love the tree skirt. I was just thinking this week that I should find a tree skirt pattern to make a new one for our tree. Thanks for the tutorial this one is perfect. To really celebrate Christmas in July I would have to put on some Christmas music and start on Christmas projects.

great tree skirt - I've been meaning to make one for years - this just might be it! Christmas in July would involve relaxing on the deck with a Gin & tonic in hand. Just to make it festive, add a splash of cranberry juice to it!

Love your tree skirt! Your quilting looks fantastic too. Christmas in July - well I haven't even taken the Christmas tree down from last year so maybe I could plug it in for the rest of the month! Eek!

One year my husband's family did celebrate Christmas in July. Instead of gifts at Christmas, my in-laws took all the extended family on a trip to the beach! While we were there we took a group photo where we all wore beach clothes and Santa hats. Lately I'm sewing Christmas gifts so I guess that's Christmas-prep in July.

I'd love to celebrate Christmas in July on the beach but the weather has been so wet there is no chance! Instead I'll have some orange loaf cake with passion fruit icing! Mmmmmthanks for the awesome giveaway it would really help me get organised!

I dream of celebrating Christmas in July by heading south of the equator for some winter like weather....it's way to hot down in the southern us. Love the skirt....thanks for sharing. Th giveaway is AWESOME!

I just finished celebrating Christmas in July by purchasing a couple of iPads for the family. We are heading on holidays soon that involve a 10 hours drive in the truck, so the kids need to be entertained somehow. LOL

I would celebrate by strolling on the beach-- after a delicious meal at our favorite Mexican restaurant including a nice, icy cold Margarita! :-) Thanks to you and Intrepid Thread for the chance to win!!

Christmas in July sounds like a great holiday to celebrate very much opposite the hustle and bustle of the December holiday. I would love to celebrate with my family on a tropical isle, laying in hammocks next to the beach, with a lovely tropical breeze. If we are going true fantasy celebration, Christmas in July should probably last all month along! Right?Thanks so much for holding the giveaway,Betsy (Yes, do call me Betsy) in the Seattle suburbs

That turned out so cute. Has me inspired. I would love to celebrate Christmas this year being done buying in October. :) Would leave time to play games and sew. Okay, beach doesn't sound too bad either.

I have never won anything but couldn't resist a chance for this wonderful fabric!!! I would put on my Christmas music in July and work on sewing Christmas gifts for my family. Thank-you for your tutorial - it's time for us to all get started sewing for Christmas! Sandy

Since my birthday is in July I would combine that celebration with Christmas in July and have lots of cake and lots of presents!! Beautiful tree skirt! Thanks for the chance to win!ellen(at)myerly(dot)net

Well first of all we would have to cook the turkey on the grill :) Then we would all sit down and eat at picnic tables. I would hang hammocks from all the trees so everyone could have an afternoon nap. When we woke, we would walk down the street and take a nice walk on the beach. Then, it would be dessert and drinks under the moonlight :) LOL wishful thinking. I love the tree skirt and if I win, would make it for sure as i have no Christmas fabrics. thanks for the chance!

I'm planning to spend July watching the Olympics and piecing a Christmas quilt...when I've decided on the design, that is! This fabric will work perfectly with the fabrics I already have - if I win I could make a giant Christmas quilt, how fabulous!!!

My week days are like Christmas because I have my grandchildren but, I still try to find time to get some sewing/quilting/yo-yo making in when they are here. :) Thanks for the terrific tutorial and giveaway! Good luck, Everyone!!

Lots of BBQ and getting together with friend in July, while in Dec it is indoor but still lots of getting together with friend.Very nice tree skirt, thes fabric remind me of some Xmas place mats that I started maybe this would be a good week to finish them.

To celebrate Christmas in July, I'd head for the mountains where it has got to be cooler than it is here. I have been wanting to make a tree skirt and I really love yours so thanks for sharing the tutorial. And thanks for the fabric giveaway, too.

You are so talented. What a great tree skirt. Well done.thanks for sharing.I would be looking for snow but since there is none around I will just hang out in a nice air conditioned coffee shop and enjoy and iced coffee.

Christmas in July for me is getting my list with all the grandkiddos orders for new quilts (some already in the works (4) and (5) more to start). It is busy for me, but the rewards are seeing the grandkiddos wrapped in their new quilts. That's what grandma's are for. I believe new tree skirts will be a great gift for the bigger kids. Thanks for tips and tutorial. Love the fabrics in you tree skirts. Beautiful! Judith, Texas

I keep trying to convince my family that Christmas in July (i.e. travel to Hawaii for Christmas) would be a beautiful thing. Swimming and yummy tropical fruit. So far only one kid is on board with me. I'll keep trying.

Christmas in July....sitting on my back deck with a soft breeze sipping on a nice cool tropical drink! I am loving this blog hop because I started thinking last week that I needed to get started on my Christmas planning if I was to get it all done by December! Thanks for the great giveaway!

Very festive tree skirt! I appreciate the tutorial on the bias binding for the center -- it will come in handy. Love the nail polish on the toenails! Barefoot is the only way to quilt. I also live in WI and glad to have the 70 degree temps today. Thanks for sharing.

Oh I love this tree skirt. I am really in need of a new one and this is just the pattern I need. Christmas in July? I would want a nice BBQ, some nice cold sangria, family and friends and have a summer white elephant gift exchange. ;o)

Hummm...if I was going to have Christmas in July, I'd have it at a park near a lake with a great big gazebo. Roast the turkey over the BBQ, chilled pumpkin bars with cool whip for dessert, and a great big crowd of people. Lots of splashing and laughing.

Christmas in July would be spent just like we celebrate in December with the extended family gathered together for a huge dinner at my niece's home. We spent Christmas in Jamaica a few years ago and it was awful!!!

I'm was anxious to check out the other blogs and thus checking the hyperlinks to the other quilting sites. When trying to access Diary of a Quilter, I received a 404 Error. The URL set up for the link is: http://diaryofaquilter.com/

My family already has Christmas in July as so many family members have Christmas birthdays. Switching years we have Christmas or birthday celebrations in July so everyone can take time off to travel without dec. congestion. Extended families meet at hosting location for dinner, fun, and family. Turkey is rarely on the menu.

I would go camping with my family. wouldn't it be fun for the kids to see if Santa could find where they were? We could get stocking stuffers like suntan lotion, sunglasses, and new swimsuits instead of mittens, warm socks, and long pajamas! I like the idea myself! these holiday fabrics are just my style too! Merry Christmas!

Hmmmmm, Christmas in July - It is 100 degrees, no rain in jeez, I can't remember when - I think sitting by the local pool with my visiting family and just having a blast and a family time that I won't be able to have at Christmas will be just perfect!!!!!!!

We celebrate the 24th of July (state holiday) with a parade, fireworks, fun at the park and generally, a family barbecue. So the 25th is a day of recuperation. That's a great tree skirt. Love it. THanks.

July is a great time to celebrate... I'm in the mood from crafting with some Christmas music playing, singing along! Working with some Christmas fabric and reds and greens would be just perfect!! I think it would be nice to celebrate all year long. I love that special feeling of being loved that comes with the holiday. We need a little more of that!! Be especially blessed, Kathy

I would blast the christmas music and enjoy decorating my whole house. Then I would leave everything up until Christmas finally arrives. Have you ever dusted your Christmas tree? I think I would have to if the tree stayed up for 6 months!

By my pool with the misters going and lots of shades with a big ole tub of ice cooling down the beer and margaritas, surrounded by good friends and maybe a gift or two. Sounds divine. Since 2 friends are coming over tomorrow, that is what I am going to do~Thank you and Julie for the fantastic giveaway. I haven't purchased any Christmas fabric this year. Maybe it will be my lucky week :)

For Christmas in July I'd like to spend some quality time outside with my family. Going for hikes to bike rides. It would be great to spend some time with the people that really matter and getting to do some warm weather activities :) Thanks for the chance to win!

Love your tree skirt! I've been meaning to make a new one for seveal yeard - this might get me going. We are sort of doing Christmas in July - a week in Montana with my husband's entire family under one big roof. Sounds like Christmas to me!

A tree skirt has been on my list for a long time too,no time like the present :) Charm squares would be great for making a tree skirt,of course so would the fabric in your giveaway ! Thanks for chance to win such a wonderful bundle of fabric.

I love that skirt! Hmm, well I've started making bags for presents, and thinking about what to make for whom, so I find it celebratory because it's so holiday related but it's far enough away from December that there's no stress associated!

about me

pattern shop

Instagram

sponsors

My Book

Blog Archive

Subscribe by email

sponsors

Disclosures

In addition to my paid sponsors, I sometimes accept free fabric, notions, or tools in exchange for posting about it on this blog or my other social media platforms. But I pledge that this practice will never change one of my product reviews or lead me to use fabric or other items that are not "my style."

I also am an Amazon Affiliate and receive compensation for items ordered via my Amazon links.

Copyright and Permissions FAQ

Can I make a quilt that looks just like one of yours? Of course! You don't need my permission for that. But remember, it's polite (and helpful to others) to credit your source of inspiration.

Can I share one of your photos on my blog or website?Probably! But please contact me for permission first. Use of my photos for commercial purposes is prohibited.

Can I pin your photos to Pinterest? Yes, please do! I love Pinterest!

Can I sell individual items made from your tutorials or patterns? Yes! As long as you don't open a factory and start churning out hundreds of them. : ) And please do not reproduce or sell the patterns or tutorials themselves. Thank you!